What We Do

Our mission is simple: To inspire the mathematician that we believe is in every girl. We aim to foster girls’ confidence in their mathematical ability and nurture their enjoyment of math during their formative elementary and middle school years.

We do this through annual math tournaments for girls in grades 3 to 8 that combine competition-style math problems with hands-on collaborative activities. Each tournament features a presentation from a keynote speaker about the role of mathematics in her career.

Why We Do It

“STEM job creation over the next 10 years will outpace non-STEM jobs significantly. Jobs in computer systems design and related services – a field dependent on high-level math and problem-solving skills- are projected to grow 45 percent between 2008 and 2018.” 1

In our country, there is a shortage of workers with skills in STEM. Women are underrepresented in all STEM fields, and make up only 25% of the workforce in computer and mathematical sciences. We believe that a generation of girls who are confident in their mathematical ability and who can fill this gap is critical to to our country’s future economic competitiveness.

The research is clear:

“Girls’ Achievements and Interest in Math and Science

Are Shaped by the Environment Around Them” 1

Did you know…

The math gender gap disappears in more gender-equal cultures.

In the United States, girls enroll in advanced math courses such as Calculus at nearly the same rate as boys, and generally do as well as, or better than, boys on homework assignments and course grades. Yet, the stereotype persists that boys are more proficient in math than girls.

Girls, particularly as they move out of elementary school and into middle and high school and beyond, often underestimate their abilities in mathematics.

But … girls who have a strong self-concept regarding their abilities in math or science are more likely to choose and perform well in elective math and science courses and to select math- and science-related college majors and careers.

The All-Girls Math Tournament is our contribution to shaping a more supportive environment for girls in math.